The board ruled that the examiner’s employer, Horsens Statsskole, and the school, Herning HF & VUC, should pay 2,500 kroner in compensation costs. The board ruled that it was actually a warning sent in advance of the exams that told female students “it is best to not to try to shake [the examiner’s hand]”, and not the handshake refusal itself, that was discriminatory.

“The board finds that the content of the message falls under the equality laws on harassment,” the ruling read.